The video provides an introduction to Stalinism, focusing on Stalin's dictatorship and the growth of terror in the Soviet Union. It explains key concepts of the Stalinist regime, such as totalitarianism, economic control, political terror, media control, and propaganda, highlighting the mass terror campaigns and show trials during 1936-1938.

This chapter delves into an introduction to the concept of Stalinism, focusing on the growth of terror within the Soviet Union under the Stalinist dictatorship. It explains key concepts of the regime and highlights instances like the show trials of 1936-1938, showcasing the totalitarian nature of Stalin's government.

Stalin's paranoia led to mass terror campaigns in the Soviet Union between 1935 and 1938, resulting in the deaths of around 10 million people through arrests, torture, and mass imprisonment.

Stalin implemented mass terror through the NKVD, enforcing purges internally within the Communist Party and externally in Soviet society. The regime targeted anyone critical of Stalin, exemplified by the fate of Sergey Kirov, who posed a significant threat to Stalin's leadership.